This article has been medically reviewed and verified by Dr. Lara Coseo (DDS, FAGD). She is a 2004 graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, TX. Having practiced general dentistry for 13 years, Dr. Lara currently serves as an Associate Professor at Texas A&M College of Dentistry.
Is the material used to make dental night guards safe?
Yes, the materials used to make dental night guards are generally safe. It’s worth noting that the materials used in dental night guards are specifically designed to be biocompatible and safe for intraoral use. They undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet quality and safety standards.
However, in rare cases, individuals may be sensitive or allergic to certain materials. If you have a known sensitivity or allergy to any specific dental materials, it is important to inform your dentist so that they can select an alternative material or find an appropriate solution for you.
Overall, the materials used in dental night guards are considered safe and have been widely used for many years with a low risk of adverse reactions.
Are there any potential allergic reactions to the materials used in dental night guards?
While allergic reactions to the materials used in dental night guards are relatively rare, they can occur in some individuals. Here are a few points to consider:
Acrylic Materials: Materials such as hard acrylic are generally well-tolerated. However, in rare cases, individuals may have an allergic reaction to these materials. Symptoms can include oral discomfort, redness, swelling, or rash in the mouth or around the lips.
Thermoplastic Materials: Some night guards are made from thermoplastic materials like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While these materials are also considered safe, there is a minimal risk of allergic reactions in some individuals. It’s important to note that the prevalence of allergic reactions to thermoplastic materials is quite low.
Metal Components: In some cases, night guards may contain metal components, such as clasps or wires. Allergic reactions to metals, such as nickel or other alloys used in dental appliances, can occur in individuals with metal sensitivities. These reactions can manifest as oral discomfort, inflammation, or even contact dermatitis in severe cases.
If you suspect an allergic reaction to the materials used in your dental night guard, it is essential to consult with your dentist or night guardd provider. They can evaluate your symptoms, determine the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate alternatives or adjustments to the night guard material.
To minimize the risk of allergic reactions, it is crucial to inform your dentist or night guard manufacturer of any known allergies or sensitivities you may have before getting a night guard. This will allow them to select materials that are less likely to cause a reaction or find suitable alternatives.
Overall, while allergic reactions to night guard materials are uncommon, it’s important to be aware of the possibility and seek professional guidance if you experience any unusual symptoms after wearing a night guard.
“I am looking for a night guard that is BPA free, MMA and Phthalate free.”
Are night guards toxic? If you’ve ever experienced chronic teeth grinding or had a family member affected by the problem, you probably realize that this is a matter that should not be overlooked.
Please be aware that many many dental labs outsource their work overseas. It is much more difficult to verify the safety of these materials and whether or not your night guard is indeed BPA free. Same goes for mass produced guards found in chain stores.
Best BPA Free Night Guard
Are Sentinel Mouthguards safe?
Sentinel Mouthguards are manufactured in the United States.
The materials are produced in the USA. We have gone to great lengths to verify the absolute safety of our products.
Reasons to wear a safe BPA free night guard
1. BPA is linked to an array of dysfunctions, disorders and even cancers including:
Cardiovascular disease, breast, brain & prostate cancer, attention related disorders, erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, learning disorders, early onset puberty, infertility, diabetes, and obesity.
2. Safely protects the teeth without exposure to toxicity
Grinding or clenching comes with serious consequences, such as teeth flattening, teeth cracking/breakage, tongue indentation, headaches, and it could even strip your teeth of their enamel.
Some of these damages can result in major dental costs. The good news is, the use of BPA-free dental night guards is an approach that is non-invasive and safe.
3. Peace of mind/ Control over your health
You don’t need to take prescription medication to curb bruxism (actually prescription meds may be making your bruxing worse). The use of a BPA free dental night guard is more a preventive remedy than a cure. Don’t wait until it’s too late and your teeth are seriously damaged to take preventive measures for tooth protection.
She worries quite often that she is exposing her baby to too much BPA. This is an excerpt from the podcast of her thoughts on BPA.
“Boiling water and putting it in plastic increases the BPA that leaches into solution by 55 fold. So, yes, definitely heating it up is way worse. One of the things I’m always thinking about is – there are now studies that have come out and these studies have been done in animals that show that BPS and some of the other BPA replacements also have negative consequences on the endocrine system, on reproduction and in some cases they’re passed on to multiple generations. Now, how much of that actually translates to humans is unknown, but there have been studies with BPA that have shown that you can give a person a single dose of BPA and it would disrupt their insulin sensitivity.”
She continued:
It also plays a role in causing problems with In Vitro Fertilization so it’s disrupting hormones and things like that. So, I was really cognizant about it during pregnancy because typically we do “detoxify” it quite well. The half life of BPA is less than 5 hours and we excrete it through urine. It also comes out through sweat, by the way, which is really good. But when you’re pregnant, for whatever reason, the placenta… well, when you take in BPA your liver inactivates it into this more benign compound – but when it gets into your placenta it becomes activated again, so I made sure I was not drinking anything out of a plastic or anything like that while I was pregnant.”
As a scientist, she’s concerned. So should we be too?
Are Night Guards Typically BPA free?
A big concern for many people regarding night guards is whether or not they contain bisphenol-A (BPA).
BPA is a synthetic compound used in the manufacture of plastic to harden it.
If body organs get exposed to large amounts of this compound, some complications such as hormonal disorders, heart problems, brain and behavioral issues can be a consequence.
This has led to the banning of the compound in countries such as Canada and the European Union when it comes to baby bottle manufacturing.
It might be hard to determine whether a night guard contains BPA or not, but that should never be a matter of major concern, because most dental material brands out there DO NOT include this compound in their products.
This is according to the American Dental Association. There may be an exception out there somewhere, but generally, night guards do not contain BPA.
What to look out for
Make sure your night guard does not contain MMA (Methyl methacrylate) and does not contain Phthalates.
All Sentinel Mouthguards are completely BPA Free
Are Sentinel Mouth Guards & Night Guards Phthalate Free? Phthalates, commonly known as plasticizers, are chemicals included in plastics to make them flexible and harder to break. The CDC affirms that any dangers posed by low amounts of phthalates are unknown – but have also revealed that in large amounts, phthalates have had an effect on laboratory animals’ reproductive systems.
Most forms of vinyl need phthalates in their processing, but luckily for us, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) vinyl, which is used in making soft night guards, contains absolutely no phthalates.
Dialkyl ortho-phthalate (o-DAPS) is used in the manufacturing of some hard acrylic night guards to give them the thermoplastic nature. While people are exposed to phthalates from an array of products and sources –such as dietary sources, teething rings & toys, indoor air pollution, and to a lesser extent, dermal contact– human health effects from phthalates at low environmental doses are currently unknown.
Sentinel Dental Night Guards do not contain phthalates
Just because silicon is an inert element does not mean it does not have side effects.
Silicon, in the form of silicon dioxide (crystalline silica) could be a chronic respiratory hazard as researches on laboratory animals have shown that lung damage can occur.
Silicon crystalline, when in contact with the skin and the eyes, causes irritation, scaling and itching.
Crystalline silica, in the form of quartz and cristobalite, has again been associated with lung cancer. It is however a respite to learn that the most common and natural forms of silicon (silica and silicates) are non-toxic and there is generally no threat posed by these forms of silicon.
Silica and silicates are popular with sippy cup manufacturers like Nuby because it’s considered non-toxic. Though if you’re still not at ease, dental material makers have recognized the increasing public awareness & concern for what we put in our mouths, and have made purchasing silicone free night guards easy.
Sentinel Mouthguards do not contain MMA
Keystone Industries (the company that produces the materials for Sentinel Mouthguards) has confirmed there is not Methyl Methacrylate in the Sentinel Mouthguard products.
A note on Acrylics: Easy Flow Acrylic Powder is a powder that is commonly used in acrylic night guards. The Easy Flow Acrylic Powder MSDS lists three hazardous ingredients including diethyl phthalate, Titanium Dioxide and mineral pigments.
Sentinel Mouthguards does not use Easy Flow Acrylic Powder in the making of their night guards.
Why is BPA bad?
BPA is linked with
• Cardiovascular disease
• Breast, brain & prostate cancer
• Attention related disorders
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Learning disorders
• Early onset puberty
• Infertility
• Diabetes
• Obesity
Did you know 93% of Americans have BPA in their body?
All Sentinel Mouthguards are BPA, pthathlates, MMA, silicon and latex free.
No-Show Day Mouth Guard$129.00
Durability Mouth Guard for Heavy Teeth Grinding$189.00
Tongue and Cheek Biting Relief Mouth Guards$169.00
Custom Hard Night Guard$149.00
Custom Soft Night Guard$129.00
Custom Dual Laminated Night Guard$149.00
